How are saints canonized in the Catholic Church?

The canonization process is a thorough investigation that typically takes decades or even centuries. The stages are: (1) Servant of God — the local bishop opens an investigation into the candidate's life and writings at least five years after their death. (2) Venerable — the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints examines the evidence and, if the person is found to have lived a life of 'heroic virtue,' the Pope declares them Venerable. (3) Blessed (Beatification) — one verified miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession is required (martyrs are exempted from this requirement). The Pope then declares the person Blessed, and they may be venerated locally. (4) Saint (Canonization) — a second verified miracle after beatification is required. The Pope then solemnly declares the person a Saint, meaning they are definitively in heaven and may be venerated by the universal Church. Miracles are typically unexplained medical healings verified by medical experts and theologians. The entire process ensures the highest level of confidence in the saint's heavenly intercession.